Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Henry Caunce, Magda Cullens, Graham Dunn, Marie Gray and Mick Muncaster.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 8 January 2013 be confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Mayor expressed her thanks to all those who had supported the Charity Ball in February which had been a great success and had raised £3809 towards her chosen charities. She also thanked those who had assisted her fundraising activities through sponsored events and through the donation of prizes and gifts.

There had been no requests received from members of the public.

To seek approval to recommendations of Executive Cabinet on 21 February 2013 (enclosed). 

The Executive Member for Resources, Policy and Performance presented the Executive’s General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Council Tax proposals for 2013/2014.

The report detailed the elements of the proposals which recommended that Council Tax be frozen in 2013/14 at 2012/13 levels.

Resources had been allocated in line with the key priorities of:

·         Involving residents in improving their local area and equality of access for all

·         Clean, safe and healthy communities

·         An ambitious Council that does more to meet the needs of residents and the local area

·         A strong local economy.

The key features of the budget being proposed in addition to the zero Council tax increase were:

·         A programme of new investment totalling £2.824m

·         £0.45m set aside to restructure debt and achieve a saving in the revenue budget of £0.060m.

·         Maintaining general balances at a minimum of £2m in line with the requirements of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Attached to the main report was a series of appendices providing technical and budgetary information to support the proposals which were either for Members information or approval. These were as follows:

Appendix A1 Formal Council Tax resolution

Appendix A2 Pay policy – a revised pay policy was circulated at the meeting which included some changes to the structure of senior management remuneration.

Appendix A3 Proposed fees and charges for 2013/14

Appendix B1 Capital programme for 2012/13

Appendix B2 Capital programme for 2013/14 to 2015/16

Appendix B3 Capital programme proposed changes 2012/13 to 2015/16

Appendix B4 Section 106 and similar developers’ contributions

Appendix C Budget investment package

Appendix C1 Investment project mandates

Appendix D Treasury strategies and prudential indicators 2013/14 to 2015/16

Appendix E Statutory Finance Officer report

Appendix F Medium term financial strategy 2013/14 to 2015/16

Appendix F1 Analysis of budget variations 2013/14 to 2015/16

Appendix G Significant budget movements 2012/13 to 2013/14

Appendix H Special expenses 2013/14

Appendix I Budget consultation 2013/14

Appendix J Equality impact assessment 2013/14 budget proposals

Members debated the Executive’s proposed budget.

Councillor Peter Goldsworthy, Leader of the Conservative Group proposed and Councillor Greg Morgan, Deputy Leader seconded, the following amendment:

That Labour’s spending plans be curbed and in doing so we propose

·         Council tax be reduced in year by 10% 

·         To reduce not increase, debt

·         To reduce spending plans but leave spending to rise on those policy areas we find beneficial

·         Maintain healthy balances

This would be achieved through the following:

Capital proposals

·         Remove the £1m capital spend for “Regeneration Projects” referred to in the main report.

·         Offer the former McDonalds site for sale for housing or commercial development – reclaiming the £476,000 purchase price.

·         Increase debt repayments by £864,000, utilising underspend in 2012/13 of £564,000 and £300,000 from the town centre reserve.

Consequently, as a result of the proposed changes, total borrowing will fall by £2.114m to £8.490m - a reduction of 20%

Revenue proposals

·         Reducing revenue growth to £463,500 by delivering only on the following items – business rate and refurbishment grants; active generation; street games; Clean up Chorley campaign; street  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.C.24

The Mayor agreed to consideration of the above urgent business and it was

RESOLVED – That Councillor Matt Crow replace Councillor Peter Wilson on the Shared Services Joint Committee.